Revellers are being urged to take steps to avoid an emergency during the New Year celebrations.

The region’s ambulance service received on average three calls a minute on New Year’s Day 2017 - its busiest day of last winter.

The East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) received more than 4,200 calls on January 1, 2017 and traditionally receives an increase in alcohol-fuelled incidents during this time of the year.

The call comes after three extremely busy days following the festive period amounting to almost 12,000 999 calls for ambulances received across the region between December 26-28.

Kevin Brown, Director of Service Delivery for EEAST, said: “We will always prioritise the most seriously injured or ill first which may mean additional waiting time for others.

“No one wants to end up in the back of an ambulance on a night out, so we’d urge everyone to wrap up warm if they are going out on New Year’s Eve, drink in moderation, look after their friends and to plan their journey home responsibly.”